Mammals
Mauritian Flying Fox
Pteropus niger · also called greater Mascarene flying fox, Mauritius fruit bat
At dusk over a mountain forest on Mauritius, Mauritian flying foxes leave their roosts to feed, a species that spreads the seeds of the island’s trees and yet has been culled as a crop pest.
Overview
The Mauritian flying fox, Pteropus niger, is an Endangered fruit bat found only on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Its role as a seed disperser, vulnerability to cyclones, and history of government culls make it one of the most debated flying foxes in the world.
A bat caught between farmers and forest
The same appetite for fruit that helps regrow Mauritius’s native forest also brings it into conflict with orchards, which is what lies behind the culls.
Status
Endangered, with a decreasing population.
Mauritian Flying Fox: common questions
Where does the Mauritian flying fox live?
It survives in the wild only on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
Why has the Mauritian flying fox been culled?
It has been culled in the 2010s because of complaints about damage to commercial fruit.
Why is the Mauritian flying fox important?
It carries fruit away to feed and drops the seeds, helping to regrow native forest.
Is the Mauritian flying fox endangered?
Yes, it is Endangered, with a decreasing population.